PARTY LINES : THE HEIDT OF CLASS.

Byline: Barbara De Witt 

Big-band leader Horace Heidt would have been proud of his son. Not only did he follow in his father's footsteps as a bandleader, but Horace Heidt Jr. has shared his good fortune with his community, just like both his parents.

At a black-tie gala at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills, Heidt was awarded the Valley Cultural Center's Golden Horn Award for his many contributions to the Center's summer concert program. He received the trophy from friend Dick Van Patten, who told me he'd known Heidt Jr. and his dad since 1970, when he moved into the Heidts' Sherman Oaks apartment complex that caters to musicians, actors and other creative types. ``He's like his father, a great musician and a hard worker. And he's been very good to people in the entertainment business,'' said Van Patten.

Instead of the usual roast, the evening was a musical salute to Heidt Jr., provided by a number of celebrity pals, including the legendary Inkspots, Sally Kellerman, Rick Vittallo, Kae Butterfield, Gary Herbig and George Greeley.

The emotional honoree said he felt very lucky to receive the Golden Horn because the city is filled with fabulous people who give their time and talent, and he was truly surprised when past president David DeFore (son of the late actor Don DeFore) nominated him.

According to DeFore, ``I picked Horace because of his interest in music and children. He's been helpful in bringing musical talent to the Concerts in the Park program. And besides, everywhere he goes he talks about the Valley Cultural Center.''

The dinner, planned by chairwoman Joanne Fine-Standard and her committee, was a feast of herb-crusted medallions of beef and salmon with chardonnay sauce served with the currently trendy garlic-flavored mashed potatoes. For dessert, we had little praline cookie baskets filled with chocolate mousse and topped with a music note made of sugar.

Also in the Valley was the Pacific Lodge Youth Services Spirit of Youth dinner at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, where 300 guests vamped it up in '20s costumes. Society maven Marilyn Hankins was happily surprised that so many guests came in costume and commented that she thought Nancy Auger's flapper dress with a sparkly cloche and long gloves was among the standouts. Also looking fab were Sheila and Ben Kendall and Sherrie and Tom Mosher. The guys wore black gangster ensembles while their wives wore feathers and carried cigarette holders, a fashionable accessory in the '20s.

``Putting It Together'' star Carol Burnett attended her opening-night cast party at the Mark Taper Forum last week wearing a glittery blue-and-black Bob Mackie ensemble and walked through the throng of well-wishers with the same grace and style she showed on stage.

Suddenly, Jo Anne Worley shouted out, ``Carol Burnett is crashing the food line.'' Hardly. A raised eyebrow from the star would have had everyone in the room tripping over each other to please her.

Attending the party were her designer pal Mackie, plus Betty White, Barbara Eden, producer Alan Carr, Nancy Dussault and Robert Culp. Burnett's co-stars in the Stephen Sondheim tribute - Bronson Pinchot, John McCook, Susan Egan and John Barrowman - were also there.

Carrying a teddy bear for good luck, Pinchot talked about how the actress's work on her landmark television show inspired his own comedy style growing up. ``It's almost like we are alike,'' he said, and added that ``Carol always gave me concrete advice.''

Daily News Entertainment Editor Rob Lowman contributed to this column.

CAPTION(S):

5 Photos

Photo: (1) Schmoozing at the ``Putting It Together'' cast party are stars Bronson Pinchot and Carol Burnett. The musical review runs through Dec. 6 at the Mark Taper Forum.

Craig Schwartz

(2) Golden Horn honoree Horace Heidt Jr. shares a moment with his wife, Sandi, at the Valley Cultural Center gala.

(3) Doing the party scene at the Valley Cultural Center's Golden Horn Awards are Horace Heidt Jr., front, with dinner chairwoman Joanne Fine Standard, left, board member Glenda Patton, and past president David De Fore.

John Lazar/Daily News

(4) Nancy Auger, with husband David, is a hit in her flapper outfit at the Pacific Youth Services Spirit of Youth gala at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City.

Gary Lew

(5) Angel Award honorees Michael O. Johnson of Buena Vista Home Entertainment, left, and NBC weatherman Fritz Coleman, right, pose with their trophies and event chairwoman Shae Jordan at the Free Arts for Abused Children gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The event raised $145,000 for the organization, which brings creative arts into the lives of abused children.